‘Sayyara’, one of the highest-grossing romantic dramas of Indian cinema, has added another honor to its name. The Ahan Pandey-Anit Padda starrer has won the Popular Choice Award at the Yellowstone International Film Festival 2025, cementing its place as a modern blockbuster. Released on July 18, the film grossed an impressive Rs 570 crore worldwide and was praised for its music, new cast and Mohit Suri’s direction.

Producer and Yash Raj Films CEO Akshay Vidhini accepted the award at a ceremony in Mumbai along with director Mohit Suri. “It’s really special. I’ve been around for 20 years and this is my first award,” a visibly emotional Suri said. The filmmaker, known for hits like ‘Aashiqui 2’ and ‘Kalyug’, shared how the success of ‘Sayyara’ is especially meaningful as it marks his first collaboration with YRF.

Suri also recalled her early love for cinema and credited the iconic ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ for inspiring her filmmaking journey. He said, “I still remember when I was a kid and went to watch Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge in the theatre. That was the first time when germs, bugs attacked me. I knew I wanted to be a filmmaker.”

The director expressed his gratitude and said, “Akshay, I wouldn’t be here without you.” He recalled the moment he narrated the script of ‘Sayyara’ to YRF chairman Aditya Chopra and Vidhini: “They loved it and said they wanted to make it.”

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Suri shared, YRF had demanded “the best film and the best music”, and the film lived up to those expectations and more. In fact, the title track of ‘Sayyara’ created history by becoming the first Hindi song to make it to the Billboard Top 10 worldwide.

With the impressive debut of Ahan Pandey and Aneet Padda, many have compared the arrival of the film to the famous launch of Hrithik Roshan and Ameesha Patel in ‘Kaho Na Pyaar Hai’. Describing the moment as “really proud”, Vidhani said, “I think this film, the highest-grossing love story of all time, is a testament and a moment that makes us really proud.”

Praising the hard work of the team, he said, “This award is for the entire cast and crew who worked tirelessly to take this film to this point.”
Mohit Suri’s ‘Sayyara’, starring newcomers Ahan Pandey and Aneet Padda, releases in theaters on July 18, 2025. The film tells the love story of Krish Kapoor (Ahaan), a young man who dreams of becoming a famous singer, and Vaani Batra (Aneet), an aspiring journalist. Their relationship takes many twists and turns amidst love, ambition and familial expectations, making it an emotional and engaging romantic drama.